Definitions for tuberculosistʊˌbɜr kyəˈloʊ sɪs, tyʊ-

Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word tuberculosis.

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

tuberculosis, TB, T.B.(noun)

infection transmitted by inhalation or ingestion of tubercle bacilli and manifested in fever and small lesions (usually in the lungs but in various other parts of the body in acute stages)

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

tuberculosis(Noun)

An infectious disease of humans and animals caused by a species of mycobacterium mainly infecting the lungs where it causes tubercles characterized by the expectoration of mucus and sputum, fever, weight loss, and chest pain, and transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of bacteria.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Tuberculosis(noun)

a constitutional disease characterized by the production of tubercles in the internal organs, and especially in the lungs, where it constitutes the most common variety of pulmonary consumption

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air. Most infections are asymptomatic and latent, but about one in ten latent infections eventually progresses to active disease which, if left untreated, kills more than 50% of those so infected.
The classic symptoms of active TB infection are a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Infection of other organs causes a wide range of symptoms. Diagnosis of active TB relies on radiology, as well as microscopic examination and microbiological culture of body fluids. Diagnosis of latent TB relies on the tuberculin skin test and/or blood tests. Treatment is difficult and requires administration of multiple antibiotics over a long period of time. Social contacts are also screened and treated if necessary. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem in multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis infections. Prevention relies on screening programs and vaccination with the bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine.

U.S. National Library of Medicine(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Tuberculosis

Any of the infectious diseases of man and other animals caused by species of MYCOBACTERIUM.